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We just previewed West Londoners Chelsea yesterday so let’s go the mile and a half across Fulham to Craven Cottage where Fulham Football Club host The Blues Monday, August 24, 2p CST.
New managers for both sides. FFC had a chance at Europe last year but just missed out, and missed out by one place to rival Chelsea. The Cottagers are hoping to ride the cozy confines to an opening weekend win and all three points against a Big6 club hoping to be in the title race.
2025/26 Finish - 11th Place
Again
47 - Over/under projected points.
More consistent than the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid Kahn has the Cottagers solidly in the middle of the EPL again fitting their reputation of being well-organized, difficult-to-beat side that seems to be comfortable sitting well above relegation but not really challenging for Europe.
Another West London side not named Chelsea, with a great old-time stadium right on the River Thames. There is a reason they are called the Cottagers.
FFC is not one of the “big” clubs but don’t let the size of their stadium Craven Cottage (19,000 capacity) fool you, Fulham is a top 10 PL club in revenue and top 25 in the world. Pretty impressive for a club that has never finished higher than 7th and has no major trophies.
For 5 consecutive years (2017-2022) the Cottagers were promoted to the PL, then relegated, then promoted, then relegated and then promoted. The upcoming season will be FFC’s fifth consecutive in the PL, finishing 10th in 2023, 13th in 2024 and 11th in 2025 and 2026. Can they find a way to challenge for Europe this season? It will be an uphill climb.
This club is experienced with a promising new manager. Depth and integration will be important, expect another finish in the 10-15th places in the table.
The Club
Located in Fulham, Central/West London
Craven Cottage, 19,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$260M Annual Revenue (24th worldwide, 10th PL)
$225M Player Payroll
History on the Pitch
Highest finish, 7th in 2009
FA Cup Runner-Up 1979
No major cups outside of FA
Ownership
Shahid Kahn purchased FFC from Mohamed Al-Fayed (Egyptian, London Businessman) in 2013 for $200M. You may recognize Kahn - owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars - a Pakistani American billionaire (55th richest) businessman and sports “tycoon” who made his initial fortune in the Auto-Parts business (Flex-N-Gate) supplying bumpers to the big automakers in Detroit, then becoming Toyota’s sole supplier for pick-ups. Kahn moved to the US at the age of 16 to attend the University of Illinois. He got a job washing dishes for $1.20/hour and stayed at the YMCA for $2/night.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Sponsorship
Kit: Adidas
Shirt: ClickHouse
Sleeve: HiBob
Home Kit
Away Kit
Biggest Rival - It’s not just 1
The West London Derby is the name given to a match when any of the 4 West London teams meet - Fulham, Chelsea, Queen Park Rangers, Brentford. Three of these teams are in the PL this season.
Chelsea is considered the main rival. Chelsea’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, is within Fulham and only 1.8 miles from Craven cottage.
QPR is considered the second rival, and Brentford third.
Fulham’s record in the Derby’s versus
Chelsea 92 Matches 12W 53L 27D
QPR 42 Matches 21W 14L 7D
Brentford 70 Matches 26W 25L 19D
The Culture
Beautiful setting and location on the River Thames close to the heart of London, FFC is London’s oldest professional football club. Fulham has been described as charming, not something you hear many soccer clubs described as. Most of the focus around London is with the big clubs with 60,000 seat stadiums and international fan bases. FFC is known as a family club, with many 3rd and 4th generation fans.
Fulham is also known for its connections to American players. Clint Dempsey, Kasey Keller, Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride all played at Fulham and the USMNT when few Americans were playing in Europe. Dempsey still holds the record for most EPL Goals by an Amercian, 57. McBride had 40 with the club. Currently American Tim Ream is Vice-Captain and entering his 9th season with the club.
Word Association
Cottagers, Craven Cottage, Shahid Khan, River Thames, West London, Historic, Survival Specialists, Jacksonville, Refined, American Connection.
The Hunting Lodge
William Craven built a Hunting Lodge, Craven Cottage, in 1780. The lodge was destroyed by fire in 1888, and Fulham FC bought the land in 1894 and converted the property to its home. They took the name Craven Cottage as its grounds and became known as The Cottagers.
Supporters You May Recognize
Marshall Mathers - Eminem
Margo Robbie
Harry Potter
Hugh Grant
Hugh Laurie
Joaquin Phoenix
Song
Ba Ba Ba Na Na Na Na, Our Fulham, Craven Cottage is our home, Now we’re packing up our bags and we’re not alone, We’ve travelled far on land and sea, Now we’re gonna take our place in history...So shout it out from the tin roof top, The Lilywhites we’re gonna give it our best shot, CHORUS Standing tall and proud, We’ll hear it from the crowd, One more time out loud……OUR FULHAM x 3
Game Day Pub Guide
Fan Sites
Official X
@FulhamFC
High Follows on X
@FulhamfcNews (9k)
@FulhamFCUSA (3k)
@CottagersForum (3k)
The Team
The Gaffer
Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain), 43yo
First Season at Fulham
Played 153 matches with Real Madrid and has playing experience in the EPL playing at Liverpool and West Ham.
Coached Real Madrid B team and then supported Real Madrid in transition. This is his first major coaching opportunity.
ODDS
To Win League +50000
Top 4 +4000
To Be Relegated +550
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
Americans on the Roster
Antonee Robinson
Roster
Calvin Bassey
Oscar Bobb
Sander Berge
Kevin (yes Brazilian with just a first name)
Josh King
Ryan Sessegnon
Alex Iwobi
Joachim Adnersen
Emile Smith Rowe
Rodrigo Muniz
Clean Sheet Seeker (Goalkeeper)
Bernd Leno - Top 10 keeper in the league
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